Goals

The Quebec Sleep Research Network aims to propel sleep research into a highly innovative and multidisciplinary science with a significant impact on the physical, psychological and social well-being of the population throughout the lifespan.

The Sleep Network wishes to support, throughout the year and with monthly submissions, new initiatives related to its mission that do not fit the typical project calls. These initiatives may include, for example:

• Events with the goal to create or reinforce collaboration between research teams and non-academic organizations, knowledge users and/or the community ;
• Sleep advocacy and/or knowledge mobilization among up-and-coming scientists, medical professionals, decision makers, knowledge users and the community.

Available budget

Although the maximum amount is not fixed, it is expected that these initiatives will require a maximum budget of $10,000 from the Network. Justification must be provided to request additional funds for more impactful projects. The Network encourages projects co-funded by at least one other source (e.g., funds from a non-academic partner, funds from an institution), although this is not a requirement. The duration of the funding granted is a maximum of 1 year. At least one knowledge mobilization project focused on narcolepsy will be funded.

For the 2024-2025 financial year, a minimum budget of $60,000 will be allocated for these opportunities. Please note that this funding opportunity will be active until the annual budget is exhausted.

Eligibility

• The person submitting the application (principal investigator) must be affiliated with a managing institution in Quebec (according to the rules of the FRQ), must become a member of the Network and must have researcher status according to the general common rules of the Fonds de recherche du Québec.
• A student, clinician or research professional may apply, provided he or she is accompanied by a principal investigator who meets the criteria of the FRQS and becomes a member of the Network. The funds will then be managed by the principal investigator at his or her institution.

Please note that funds transferred to the principal investigator's institution cannot subsequently be transferred to another institution.

This funding opportunity is not intended to support research projects or training awards, as these will be the subject of separate competitions. Eligible expenses are those recognized by the FRQS. Click here for more details on eligible expenses.

How to submit an application 

Two documents are required and must be sent to the address: [email protected]. Applications must be submitted before the first day of each month.

1)  Project description (maximum 2 pages, single-spaced, standard fonts) including :

• Project title ;
• Name of principal investigator and institution ;
• Name and functions of other people involved in the initiative and their institutions ;
• Institution where funds will be managed ;
• Description of the initiative ;
• How this initiative corresponds to the mission of the Network, including consideration of the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (see above for button called "Context of EDI issues in sleep research") ;
• Feasibility of the initiative ;
• Timeline of the project ;
• Benefits for Quebec ;

2)  Budget and justification (maximum 1 page)

Evaluation criteria 

In addition to application eligibility, the priorities of the Network will be taken into account when evaluating applications. These priorities include :

• Innovative initiatives in line with the Network’s mission ;
• Initiatives involving members of several Quebec institutions ;
• Enables the creation of new collaborations between research teams and non-academic partners ;
• Encourages the participation of up-and-coming researchers and professionals ;
• Takes project feasibility into account ;
• Includes equity, diversity and inclusion issues in project design ;
• Budget: adequacy of the budget and contribution (in kind or financial support) from a partner. Projects co-financed by another source are encouraged.

Please note that projects deemed promising but ineligible in their current state will be invited to resubmit after modifications.

Scientific and financial report

No later than 6 months after the end of the project, a scientific report (maximum 1 page) presenting the spin-offs of the project must be sent to [email protected]. This report enables Network to document the impact of its activities.

A financial report must be produced by the managing establishment at the end of each fiscal year.